A DAD and his two children are dead after a plane they were flying in plunged into the ocean just minutes after take-off. The aircraft crashed off the end of the runway in Queensland's Moreton Bay in Australia just after 9am local time this morning.
7NewsThe plane ended up in the ocean after taking off nearby '/ ' 
7NewsTwo adults and two children died in the crash '/ ' Pilot Roy Watterson, 67, died along with a Brisbane father, 41, and his daughter and son, aged 10 and 9. The passengers were on a pleasure flight north-west of Brisbane, Queensland, at about 9am on Sunday when the light aircraft suddenly plunged into the water. Witnesses told 9News the engine failed minutes into the flight, and an attempt was made to turn back when the plane plummeted. It is understood the plane had engine trouble soon after take-off. The aircraft then flipped when the pilot was returning to the landing strip, 7 News reported. Footage showed the plane underwater and upside-down. Most read in The US Sun PAYDAY Surprise '$1,100 Christmas payments' arriving TOMORROW as $6,300 cash sent out GUARANTEED INCOME More Americans to get $250 payments every TWO WEEKS for two years 'SHOCKING' Maxwell took girls to target wealthy men at party attended by Prince Charles MORE TROUBLE? Hilaria & Alec are pulled over by police after FBI seizes Rust star's phone FEELING FESTIVE Kourtney K gets into holiday spirit as she flashes her legs in red heels MALL MAYHEM 'Shooting' Austin mall causes panic when jewellery robbery mistaken for shots Two of the victims were from Brisbane and two were from Canberra. Onlookers saw empty stretchers being carried from a fire and rescue truck. Meanwhile police boat crews and divers conducted investigations. Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll said: "The plane is in a very, very difficult position in the wetland area and we have currently got police and divers travelling to that area." Forensics are working with the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and Queensland Water Police to determine the cause of the accident. Divers recovered the bodies of two adults, including the 69-year-old male pilot, and two children from the upturned wreckage close to the shoreline, police Inspector Craig White told reporters. 
7NewsAn investigation is underway today '/ ' Describing it as a ...tragic accident... in the lead-up to Christmas, he said: ...This is the last thing that any family need to go through this time of the year.... The children's ages were not immediately available but they were younger than teenagers. Australian Transport Safety Bureau chief commissioner Angus Mitchell said his organization is investigating. He said early reports suggested that the crash occurred not long after takeoff. Authorities said it could take some time to retrieve the wreckage from the crash site. Source:
